SOMEBODY STOP ME (S.O.S)

            The Reflection of “SOMEBODY STOP ME (S.O.S)”

        There was a project that is called “Somebody stop me (S.O.S)”. It was about internet addiction. The subject is really important by the reason of extreme usage of youngsters. Writing something about this project with words can look like easy but actually, it is more than words and sentences. The three main theme of the project are that people do not communicate with each other in real life, some people use smart phones more than enough, does social media make us social or not ?    

         The first they, most of us did not know each other and were inclined to communicate with own nations. But there were so good ice breaker games that we could accommodate ourselves. In addition, there was a first game which was really communicative, interesting and creative. “At the game, you should write three different illustrator questions in three papers. Then, someone picks one of the questions and answers. After someone answers, it will be your turn and do the same thing. Finally, you should find another person to ask and continue the game.” By the help of this game, we had a chance to get knowledge about the people in real life. On the other hand, we could have found them in facebook, instagram accounts and could have tried to get some knowledge by using their name at the first day, BUT! , we did not. Because, there was a real communication and it is better than virtual one.

         The other days, we had a chance to get more information about internet addiction thanks to the workshops. Moreover, with the help of the activities, we searched for information about what internet addiction is (impulse control disorder), statistics (65% of youngsters are addicted), observation of the people sitting in a café (55% of people care about smart phones instead of speaking with each other) and whether we are addicted or not (not anymore). The activities were such beautiful that we understood the communication and getting knowledge do not depend only on social media and internet.

         On the other hand, at the one of the games, we were grouped as two. One of the groups wrote the useful ways and the other wrote about extreme usage. Finally, there was a conclusion that internet is a great chance to get knowledge and fun and social media is also great chance to find your friend and fun. But these are not only the way to be social and to communicate. In social media, you cannot trust someone, do not be shy, the person is in front of you, just say “hi” and get in contact, social media is not place that hides your shyness. Real communication is really better than social ones.

          As a different perspective to the project, in free time and at the observation time, they had a trouble with English language speaking of Turkish people. 90% of Turkish people cannot speak except the some words. In addition, I will be an English Language Teacher and I also cannot speak very well. To develop speaking skill, we should be exposed to English language with movies, books and if it is possible with foreigners. To express how body language is important; there was a game in our activity group that is about body language. 76% of communication is non-verbal. So, we made a sentence in our native language and by using mimics & gestures, we said in our native language. But, everyone in the group understood each other. There is an advice for people that they should try to speak without an anxiety. Just try, make a mistake, take a risk and communicate. You will learn and achieve.

          As a cultural perspective, there were people from 7 different cultures. So, cultural interaction was the important part of communication. Being respectful to other cultures and learning something new is really important for me. In addition, while learning language process, you should also learn the cultural symbols to understand the language properly. “Don’t eat pizza and pasta with ketchup, looking cooler doesn’t mean that you are closed to communicate, don’t judge the country by looking some people, look at the big picture…”

          Finally, I have friends, best ones in my life. I understood that intention, sincerity and real communication are really important, not the time. If there is a chance to be together again, I am sure that each one of us will do our best.

          And, BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ÇAĞLAR(the adorable facilitator of the project) to arrange everything very well. In addition, THANK YOU TO ALL TEACHERS to organise the project.

4th National Congress of English Language Teachers

The Summary of the 4^th National Congress of English Language Teachers

4^th National Congress of English Language Teachers was completed in Çanakkale OnSekiz Mart University. The congress was about the problems of trainee teachers. There are many participants from other universities. There are many problems that they confront during their education process, but I will concern about the most important ones.

                                                                   Problems

1)      All the trainee teachers are not elected according to their qualification. Because of the educational system of Turkey. Only grammatical exam is not enough to elect.

2)      They cannot speak very well in English when they present, lecture and express themselves. As a consequence of this; they do not speak in English at the school/class, like a chain, it is continuing and their students also cannot speak in English.

3)      There are many useless lessons in the University, instead of this; there should be lessons with higher quality.

4)      When they are studying for KPSS (To be a teacher in government exam to be elect the trainee teachers)/ Last year, there is a training and work experience scheme. They do not care about the internship because of the exam. In addition, the department lesson is not at the same period with the internship. So, it leads knowledge to forget.

5)      There is a really important problem with testing and evaluation at university. They are not study, they only memorise the knowledge and the other day, they forget. It is because, questions do not evaluate the usage of the knowledge and most of the questions are useless. (I am writing a research paper that is about testing and evaluation on trainee teachers, there will be more information.)

                                                            Answers

1)      There should be an exam that is analytical and qualified. That exam should not only elect the grammatical rules but also speaking, writing, reading, listening and trainee teachers’ personality/psychology.

2)      Teachers should speak English and trainee teachers should be exposed to an English language. Moreover, they can find a friend to talk in English with the help of the internet.

3)      Curriculum should be arranged for trainee teachers’ need.

4)       Their department lessons and their internship should go together in dread that gains are permanent.

5)      Testing and evaluation are really important for anxiety, inhibition and hesitation while learning process. Tests are also a method of teaching and learning. If students’ eagerness is dispirited, we cannot talk about learning except the memorising. There will be more information about the testing and evaluation, wait for the October.

Part 1: English Language Teaching to Young Learners / Literature

Part 1: English Language Teaching to Young Learners / Literature

There are many ways while teaching process, as part, we will concern the literature.

Teaching English language is more efficient at early ages. The reason is that children do not have anxiety, hesitation, inhibition and L1effect to learn. So, teaching to children is easier than teaching to adults.

In the child development, 0-6 ages are the critical period for cognitive development and 6-11 ages are the important critical period for language learning. So pay attention what you do/say, even if you say “he is baby just now”, his brain saves everything during the critical period for cognitive development. On the other hand, language learning should not be done at the critical period between 6-11 ages. Instead, it should be begun from birth.

On the other hand, Literature is a general concept and it is difficult to precisely define but I will concern the language teaching with the help of literature. The reason is that literature represents the culture and tradition of a language. In addition, by using suitable materials with poems, learning can be funny and implicit. So how can we achieve this with literature? 

Firstly, teaching till 3 years, reading stories, alphabetic sound games, speaking with him in English are the best choices. Then continue with repetition of the easy words listen & do activities and memorizing the short & funny poem with the help of pictures.

Secondly, teaching between 6-11 years, complex alphabetic sound games, cardboard games, watching & listening poem, flashcards, songs can be used.